Abrasive blasting unit for controlled blasting

ABSTRACT

The blasting unit includes an enclosure shaped and dimensioned for receiving an article to be treated with abrasive, a first gun carriage supporting a first blast gun for controlled movement relative to the enclosure, a support table maintained within the enclosure and a control system linked to the first gun carriage and the support table. The control system directs movement of the first blast gun and support table to abrasively blast an article with a predefined pattern.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The invention relates to abrasive blasting units. More particularly, the invention relates to an automated abrasive blasting unit including computerized control of the blast gun and table.

[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art

[0004] Abrasive blasting units have previously relied upon manual manipulation of a blast gun and manual manipulation of the part, or object, to etch, deburr or clean. The prior art requires that operators insert their arm within a blasting cabinet to manipulate the various components of the unit. As those skilled in the art certainly appreciate, these prior blasting units are cumbersome to use, highly time consuming and often result in final products including slight imperfections.

[0005] With the foregoing in mind, a need certainly exists for an abrasive blasting unit which automates the entire process to allow for “hands off” processing. The present invention provides such an abrasive blasting unit.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide an automated abrasive blasting unit. The blasting unit includes an enclosure shaped and dimensioned for receiving an article to be treated with abrasive, a first gun carriage supporting a first blast gun for controlled movement relative to the enclosure, a support table maintained within the enclosure to hold the part(s) and a control system linked to the first gun carriage and the support table. The control system directs movement of the first blast gun and support table to abrasively blast an article with a predefined pattern.

[0007] It is also an object of the present invention to provide an abrasive blasting unit wherein the control system includes a memory storing predefined paths or patterns for abrasively blasting an article.

[0008] It is another object of the present invention to provide an abrasive blasting unit wherein the first blast gun delivers the abrasive.

[0009] It is a further object of the present invention to provide an abrasive blasting unit including a reservoir in which expended abrasive is collected and recycled for subsequent use by the first blast gun.

[0010] It is still another object of the present invention to provide an abrasive blasting unit wherein the support table rotates under the control of the control system.

[0011] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an abrasive blasting unit wherein the control system controls the speed at which the support table rotates.

[0012] It is also another object of the present invention to provide an abrasive blasting unit wherein the control system controls the degrees of table rotation.

[0013] It is also an object of the present invention to provide an abrasive blasting unit wherein the first gun carriage guides the first blast gun along a linear path relative to the enclosure.

[0014] It is another object of the present invention to provide an abrasive blasting unit wherein the control system includes a user interface for inputting predefined blasting paths or patterns.

[0015] It is a further object of the present invention to provide an abrasive blasting unit wherein the first gun carriage is mounted vertically relative to the enclosure.

[0016] It is also a further object of the present invention to provide an abrasive blasting unit including a second gun carriage mounted horizontally and supporting a second blast gun for controlled movement relative to the enclosure, the second gun carriage being linked to the control system which directs movement thereof to abrasively blast an article with a predefined path or pattern.

[0017] It is also an object of the present invention to provide an abrasive blasting unit wherein the first gun carriage is mounted vertically relative to the enclosure and the second gun carriage is mounted horizontally relative to the enclosure.

[0018] It is another object of the present invention to provide an abrasive blasting unit including means for selectively moving the support table within the enclosure.

[0019] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an abrasive blasting unit wherein movement of the first blast gun along the first gun carriage is controlled by the control system.

[0020] It is also an object of the present invention to provide an abrasive blasting unit wherein the control system controls the speed at which the first blast gun moves.

[0021] It is a further object of the present invention to provide an abrasive blasting unit wherein the control system controls the linear distance the first blast gun moves.

[0022] Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description when viewed in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which set forth certain embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the abrasive blasting unit in accordance with the present invention.

[0024]FIG. 2 is a front view of the abrasive blasting unit shown in FIG. 1.

[0025]FIG. 3 is a side view of the abrasive blasting unit shown in FIG. 1.

[0026]FIG. 4 is perspective view of the first gun carriage supporting the first blast gun.

[0027]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the support table within the abrasive blasting unit enclosure.

[0028]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the control system interface.

[0029]FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the control system cable connections.

[0030]FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the pressure and control system for providing air to the blasting guns.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0031] The detailed embodiment of the present invention is disclosed herein. It should be understood, however, that the disclosed embodiment is merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, the details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limited, but merely as the basis for the claims and as a basis for teaching one skilled in the art how to make and/or use the invention.

[0032] With reference to FIGS. 1-3, an abrasive blasting unit 10 is disclosed. The abrasive blasting unit 10 utilizes sand, or other abrasive particles, to blast an article in an automated, highly controlled manner. The abrasive blasting unit 10 applies a control system 12 to manipulate both blast guns 14, 16 firing the abrasive material and a support table 26 upon which a part made of glass 20, or other material, is held.

[0033] Briefly, the abrasive blasting unit 10 achieves the goal of providing for the controlled blasting of a part 20 by including an enclosure 18 shaped and dimensioned for receiving an article 20 to be treated with abrasive, a first gun carriage 22 supporting a first blast gun 14 for controlled movement relative to the enclosure 18, a second gun carriage 24 supporting a second blast gun 16 for controlled movement relative to the enclosure 18 and a support table 26 with a holding fixture (not shown) shaped and dimensioned for supporting a part 20 maintained within the enclosure 18. The abrasive blasting unit 10 further includes a control system 12 linked to the first and second gun carriages 22, 24 and the support table 26. The control system 12 directs movement of the first and second blast guns 14, 16 and the support table 26 to abrasively blast the part 20 with a predefined path or pattern.

[0034] In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the enclosure 18 is generally a rectangular structure including first, second, third and fourth sidewalls 28, 30, 32, 34. The enclosure 18 further includes a bottom screen 36 open to an abrasive hopper 38 into which used abrasive falls for subsequent recycling. A top wall 40 completes the formation of the enclosure 18 and seals the top of the enclosure 18 for operation of the present abrasive blasting unit 10. The enclosure 18 is supported at a workable height by four downwardly extending legs 42.

[0035] A door 44 formed in the first sidewall 28 thereof provides access to the space defined by the enclosure 18. The door 44 includes a handle 46 and window 48 to respectively facilitate access thereto and viewing of a part 20 being treated in accordance with the present invention. The enclosure 18 is further provided with a dust collector vent 50 formed in the top wall 40.

[0036] As briefly mentioned above, the abrasive blasting unit 10 includes first and second gun carriages 22, 24 which respectively support the first and second blast guns 14, 16 for movement relative to the enclosure 18. Specifically, the first gun carriage 22 is mounted to the second sidewall 30 in a vertical orientation. Access to the internal compartment of the enclosure 18 is provided by positioning the first gun carriage 22 over a slot 52 formed within the second sidewall 30 and directing the nozzle 54 of the first blast gun 14 through the slot 52 and toward the center of the enclosure 18.

[0037] Similarly, the second gun carriage 24 is mounted to the top wall 40 in a horizontal orientation. Access to the internal compartment of the enclosure 18 is provided by positioning the second gun carriage 24 over a slot 58 formed within the top wall 40 and directing the nozzle 56 of the second blast gun 16 through the slot 58 and downwardly toward the center of the enclosure 18.

[0038] The first and second blast guns 14, 16 are assembled for both simultaneous and individual use. They are generally moved by reversible stepping motors under the control of the control system 12 discussed below in greater detail. In this way, a consistent blast pattern is provided over the area to be abraded. The result is a better blasting job in a shorter period of time.

[0039] The details of the first and second gun carriages 22, 24 and first and second blast guns 14, 16 will now be described with reference to FIG. 4 where the first gun carriage 22 and first blast gun 14 are shown in detail (the first gun carriage 22 and first blast gun 14 are identical to the second gun carriage 24 and second blast gun 16). The first gun carriage 22 includes a blast gun carriage assembly 60 having first and second rails 62, 63 between which the first blast gun 14 is mounted for sliding motion along the length thereof. Movement of the first blast gun 14 along the length of the carriage assembly 60 is facilitated by a drive screw 64 extending along the length of the first gun carriage 22 and passing through a threaded drive nut 66 secured to the upper wall 68 of the blast gun support housing 70. A stepper motor 72 is secured to the first end 74 of the drive screw 64 and provides for controlled rotation of the drive screw 64 in both clockwise and counter-clockwise directions to selectively move the first blast gun 14 up and down along the carriage assembly 60. The stepper motor 72 is linked to the control system 12 via a cable 76 extending therebetween.

[0040] The feed and pressure dispensing of the abrasive through the first blast gun 14 is achieved via an abrasive feed line 78 linked between the first blast gun 14 and the bottom 80 of the funnel shaped abrasive hopper 38. The air pressure required by the first blast gun 14 for forcefully propelling the abrasive is provided by a first air line 82 linked between the first blast gun 14 and an air pressure source 84.

[0041] As mentioned above, and with reference to FIG. 5, the nozzle 54 of the first blast gun 14 extends through a slot 52 in the second sidewall 30 of the enclosure 18. As it is important to seal the enclosure 18 to the greatest extent possible, a brush slot cover 86 is positioned over the slot 52 such that all of the slot 52 is covered with the exception of that portion of the slot 52 through which the nozzle 54 of the first blast gun 14 extends.

[0042] With reference to FIG. 5, the support table 26 used in accordance with the present invention is disclosed. The support table 26 generally includes a stepper motor 88 maintained within a housing 90. The stepper motor 88 drives a turntable 92. The turntable 92 is further provided with adjustable pins 94 for securely holding a part 20 holding fixture (not shown)thereon. Controlled movement of the support table 26 is facilitated via a cable 96 linking the stepper motor 88 with the control system 12.

[0043] Positioning of the support table 26 within the enclosure 18 is facilitated by the provision of positioning slots 98 along side interior wall 100 and opposite sidewall of the enclosure 18. The positioning slots 98 engage similarly shaped vertical supports 102 formed along the base of the support table 26 to hold the support table 26 in a set position within the enclosure 18. In fact, the plate 101 upon which the support table 26 sits rests upon the upper edge of the positioning slots 98. With this in mind, the support table 26 is readily moved by simply disengaging interlocking members 98, 102, moving the support table 26 to a new location within the enclosure 18 and reengaging the members 98, 102 at a desired location.

[0044] This adjustment feature is especially important in setting the correct distance between the holding fixture with the part 20 and the blast gun nozzles 54, 56. Specifically, in order to obtain the most even blast area the support table 26 should be positioned an appropriate distance from the blast gun nozzles depending on the specific blast gun being used. Moving the support table 26 closer may result in an uneven cut, and further away reduces the depth of the cut. With this in mind, the adjustment feature facilitated by the positioning slots 98, 102 provides for a moveable support table 26 so one can position the part 20 the correct distance from the nozzles 54, 56 for the most effective blasting.

[0045] As discussed above, the control system 12 includes a user interface 104 for inputting control commands. A preferred embodiment of the user interface 104 for the control system 12 is shown in FIG. 6. The user interface 104 includes a keypad 106 for pattern input, an LED display 108, a power supply 110, control boards 112, an on/off switch 114, a cabinet light 116, an emergency power off switch 118, and an interface housing 120.

[0046] The control system 12 is further linked to various components of the present abrasive blasting unit 10. As shown in FIG. 7, the interface housing 120 includes connections for the power supply 110, cable to the first blast gun 76, cable to the second blast gun 126, cable to the support table 96, first solenoid cable 128 to the first air solenoid 130, second solenoid cable 132 to the second air solenoid 134, power to cabinet lights 136 and input power 138 to the control system 12 itself.

[0047] In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the control system 12 is operated in the following manner. Seven numbers are simply entered on the control keypad 106 based upon various prompts; the first three numbers control the rotating table 26 supporting the part 20 and the remaining numbers control the motion of the blast guns 14, 16.

[0048] To input a specific path or pattern the operator first presses the number one (1) to activate the blasting pattern mode. DEG (degrees of table rotation) is displayed on the LED display 108, or readout. The operator then enters the number of degrees which the part 20 should rotate back and forth. For example, should the operator wish the part 20 to rotate 90 degrees, he or she would simply enter “9” and “0”, and then press ENTER.

[0049] Once the DEG is entered, SP 1 will be displayed. SP 1 indicates the speed at which the support table will rotate. The operator then inputs a desired speed and presses ENTER

[0050] CYC (cycle is the number of times the support table 26 rotates) is now displayed in the LED display 108 of the control system 12. The operator will then input the number of times, or cycles, the part 20 is to rotate. For example, “2” might be pressed if light blast is desired and “4” might be pressed if a deeper blast is desired. ENTER is then pressed.

[0051] LN2 (linear distance the vertical blast gun moves) is now displayed on the LED display 108 of the control system 12. This controls the distance the blast gun 14 moves up and down. The operator will enter this information in tenths of an inch. For example, if the operator wishes the blast gun 14 to move along a 3 inch path, the number “30” will be input and ENTER is once again pressed.

[0052] SP2 is then displayed, prompting the operator to input the speed at which the blast gun 14 moves. The user will then input the desired speed and press ENTER

[0053] LN3 (linear distance the horizontal blast gun moves) is now displayed on the LED display 108 of the control system 12. This controls the distance the blast gun 16 moves back and forth. The operator will enter this information in tenths of an inch. For example, if the operator wishes the blast gun 16 to move along a 3 inch path, the number “30” will be input and ENTER is once again pressed.

[0054] SP3 is then displayed, prompting the operator to input the speed at which the blast gun 16 moves. The user will then input the desired speed and press ENTER.

[0055] Control information is then complete and the operator may press “0” to activate the etching mode. The word ETCH will then be displayed on the LED display 108 of the control system 12 and ENTER is pressed when the operator wishes to commence blasting. When the blasting process is completed, the operator simply removes the completed part, inserts a new part and presses ENTER to blast again.

[0056] As mentioned above, a constant supply of air pressure is required to operate the blast guns 14, 16. The air pressure is controlled via a pressure regulator 140 and associated control components. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the associated control components generally include an air line 142 supplying pressurized air to the pressure regulator 140 from a remote compressor. The pressure regulator 140, and pressurized air line 142 are coupled to the first and second air lines 82, 144 feeding the blast guns 14, 16 of the first and second gun carriages 22, 24 via first and second solenoid valves 130, 134. The solenoid valves 130, 134 are controlled by the control system 12 and coupled thereto by first and second solenoid cables 128, 132 extending between the control system 12 and the first and second solenoid valves 130, 134.

[0057] Operation of the present abrasive blasting unit 10 allows for blasting of any type of carvable material up to 15 inches tall by 12 inches in diameter under digital control. In this way, user production is increased, the final product is improved and labor costs are reduced. In addition, and due to the automated nature of the present abrasive blasting unit 10, for people etching glass the film commonly used in blasting operations is saved as you no longer need to mask the whole glass blank which is to be blasted.

[0058] While the preferred embodiments have been shown and described, it will be understood that there is no intent to limit the invention by such disclosure, but rather, is intended to cover all modifications and alternate constructions falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. 

1. An abrasive blasting unit, comprising: an enclosure shaped and dimensioned for receiving an article to be treated with abrasive; a first gun carriage supporting a first blast gun for controlled movement relative to the enclosure; a support table maintained within the enclosure, the support table being shaped and dimensioned for supporting an article; a control system linked to the first gun carriage and the support table, the control system directing movement of the first blast gun and support table to abrasively blast an article with a predefined pattern.
 2. The abrasive blasting unit according to claim 1, wherein the control system includes a memory storing predefined patterns for abrasively blasting an article.
 3. The abrasive blasting unit according to claim 1, wherein the first blast gun shoots an abrasive.
 4. The abrasive blasting unit according to claim 1, further including a reservoir in which expended abrasive is collected and recycled for subsequent use by the first blast gun.
 5. The abrasive blasting unit according to claim 1, wherein the support table rotates under the control of the control system.
 6. The abrasive blasting unit according to claim 5, wherein the control system controls the speed at which the support table rotates.
 7. The abrasive blasting unit according to claim 5, wherein the control system controls the degrees of table rotation.
 8. The abrasive blasting unit according to claim 1, wherein the first gun carriage guides the first blast gun along a linear path relative to the enclosure.
 9. The abrasive blasting unit according to claim 1, wherein the control system includes a user interface for inputting predefined blasting patterns.
 10. The abrasive blasting unit according to claim 1, wherein the first gun carriage is mounted horizontally relative to the enclosure.
 11. The abrasive blasting unit according to claim 1, wherein the first gun carriage is mounted vertically relative to the enclosure.
 12. The abrasive blasting unit according to claim 1, further including a second gun carriage supporting a second blast gun for controlled movement relative to the enclosure, the second gun carriage being linked to the control system which directs movement thereof to abrasively blast an article with a predefined pattern.
 13. The abrasive blasting unit according to claim 12, wherein the first gun carriage is mounted horizontally relative to the enclosure and the second gun carriage is mounted vertically relative to the enclosure.
 14. The abrasive blasting unit according to claim 1, further including means for selectively moving the support table within the enclosure.
 15. The abrasive blasting unit according to claim 1, wherein movement of the first blast gun along the first gun carriage is controlled by the control system.
 16. The abrasive blasting unit according to claim 15, wherein the control system controls the speed at which the first blast gun moves.
 17. The abrasive blasting unit according to claim 15, wherein the control system controls the linear distance the first blast gun moves. 